2 good

Barton Silverman/The New York TimesYup, Leetch probably had to yell at Mess to stop crying

If you didn't get to the game, or watch Brian Leetch's jersey retirement on TV, read Lisa Olson's flawless recap. She brings you there, as if you were standing next to Tie Domi himself. (Yes, we just wanted to write his name for fun -- come on, it's been years).

Leetch's jersey belongs, perhaps more than any other, in the Garden rafters. Larry Brooks agrees, noting that Leetch's character came through loud and clear last night:

All anyone ever needed to know about the character of Brian Leetch was in evidence last night when one of the greatest players in RangersNew York Rangers ' franchise history all but upstaged his own night when he announced that his No. 2 would be joined in the Garden rafters next season by Adam Graves' No. 9.

We happened to love the "One more year" chant, referenced by Lynn Zinser -- frankly, we didn't exactly agree with the one that erupted for Messier -- but somehow in the back of our collective brain we continued to wonder whether it would have been worth it to bring him back for another season.

We realize that it would not have been a smart move, and King Sather handled that situation correctly. But still, sentimentality gets the better of you sometimes; that #2 jersey was a part of all our lives for so many years.

Anyway, while it's somewhat embarassing that 1994 is still talked about so much, we don't really care. It meant that much to Ranger fans, and should continue to mean that much to Ranger fans. Leetch's jersey retirement was another part of that, and besides, what's the point of great memories if you don't recall them once in awhile?

So next season, during the 15th anniversary of New York's last Stanley Cup championship, when #9 rises up to the MSG rafters, we'll get to recall a great memory one more time.

But for last night, today, and until next season, feel free to look up to the numbers 2, 11, and 35, and remember. It'll be worth it, we promise.